deFilharmonie & City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus & Kinderkoor Vlaamse Opera

The 'deFilharmonie and Britten' series combines two regular concerts by the orchestra with the annual composer 'happening'. There are no less than six big works on the programme, four of which - a complete Sunday's worth - can be heard during the 'Britten Happening'. Martyn Brabbins kicks off this Britten series. He has been first guest conductor of deFilharmonie since 2009 and can boast an imposing record as regards contemporary music, particularly British. No doubt that has something to do with his roots. He has already demonstrated his competence in Britten's 'War Requiem', a magnum opus that Britten wrote in 1961-1962 for the occasion of the dedication of the new cathedral in Coventry; the original cathedral was destroyed during the Second World War. This monumental requiem, which sets texts from the Latin requiem mass side by side with striking war poetry by Wilfred Owen, is an expression of Britten's pacifist conviction. With an immense cast of soloists, a large orchestra, a chamber orchestra, chorus, boys' chorus and organ, it tolls out its statement like a bell.